Helpful Information for PDN Letter-Writer

In today's PDN, a letter to the editor complained that the PDN's Commentary page was unbalanced; biased toward the Left.

The writer specifically mentioned columns by Paul Krugman and Gail Collins. The good news for this person is: the conservative writings of both Michelle Malkin and Cal Thomas are featured every week in the PDN. In the irony department, Cal Thomas' column appeared today, right above the letter complaining about the PDN's leftwing bias.

In addition, there are several well-known local ultra-conservative residents whose letters are constantly appearing in the letters-to-the-editor section.

I hope this helps.

PA Forward Organizes "Buy Local" Campaign

Mike Edwards of the PA Forward Committee gave a speech at yesterday's meeting of the Port Angeles Business Association.

Basically, when you do your shopping here in Port Angeles, your money stays in Port Angeles. When you make your purchases out of town or online, your money goes elsewhere.

Edwards said PA Forward's mission is to “encourage reinvestment in the local economy” by making your purchases here, not in Silverdale or on Amazon.com.

No Deal on Public Parking at Gottschalks Building

One of the upsides of the upcoming First Street construction project was that public parking would "probably" be available at the former Gottschalks parking lot.

Not so fast.

The owners of the building, K.O. Erickson Trust, have not disallowed public parking at their lot. But there hasn't been a deal to make the parking lot officially open to the public. The owners want to charge $35 per parking space per month, and the city can't pay that amount.

The owners claim it's not about the money; they're just reluctant to have their parking lot tied up while they seek a new tenant for the building.

Meeting This Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. re: First Street Construction

The Port Angeles City Council will be holding a meeting in their chambers at 7:30 a.m. this Wednesday regarding the upcoming construction on First Street and whether the work should be done at night or during the day.

According to the PADA memo:

"The city has graciously agreed to host another meeting to explain the scope of the construction, and to receive your input. A VOTE WILL BE TAKEN AND THE DECISION OF THOSE PRESENT AT THE MEETING WILL BE FINAL!"

I don't know if this meeting is only for PADA members, or for everyone who feels they have a stake in this construction scheduling. A fair number of downtown business owners and property owners are not PADA members, for various reasons.

Again, that's 7:30 a.m. this coming Wednesday (Feb. 16) at the City Council Chambers. Make your voices heard.

UPDATE: Today's PDN has the story here.

Fifty-Three Downtown Merchants Sign Petition Against Daytime Construction

Fifty-three downtown business owners have signed a petition urging the city to have the First Street construction work done at night instead of during the day.

Last Wednesday a meeting was called, with no notice, to discuss the construction schedule. Out of the ten business owners who were able to attend, only one objected to having the construction done during daytime business hours.

The Downtown Association has requested another meeting with the city, so that more downtown merchants will have a chance to voice their objections. Glen Cutler said he will try to get another meeting scheduled later this week.

Downtown Construction to be During Daytime

A new stormwater pipe will be installed under First Street during the daytime instead of overnight.

I would have thought downtown businesses would be less impacted if the construction work was done at night when all the shops are closed.

Supposedly, working during the day will enable the project to be completed sooner. Let's hope.

Port Angeles School Levy Passes

The Port Angeles School District property tax levy has been approved, 58.98% to 41.02%.

There are about 800 ballots that still need to be counted, but Clallam County Auditor Patty Rosand said:

"I don't expect it to change by more than 1 percent in either direction."

Port Angeles Reduces Fluoride Level

The city has reduced the level of fluoride in the municipal water supply from one part per million to .08. This reduction is supposed to put the city in line with recent recommendations from state and federal health officials.